In the cyclical nature of human activity, as Solomon describes, the story of Ishmael and Isaac illustrates recurring patterns of conflict driven by human nature. Ishmael, born through Abram and Sarai's human effort using Hagar as a surrogate, represented a birth according to the flesh. In contrast, Isaac, born to Sarah as divinely appointed, embodied a birth according to the Spirit. This distinction led to tension, as Sarah witnessed Ishmael, in his mid-teens, mocking the young Isaac after his weaning. God made it clear that Isaac, not Ishmael, would be the heir to the promises given to Abraham, establishing a covenant with Isaac and his descendants for an everlasting duration. This event set a precedent of divine choice, showing where God works and directs His purposes. As Paul later notes in Galatians, just as Ishmael persecuted Isaac, so too do those living according to the flesh often persecute the spiritual children of God, reflecting the predictable, repetitive nature of human enmity and self-preservation.

The origins of antisemitism trace back to biblical times with the deep-seated discord between Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac. This early conflict set a precedent for the animosity that persisted among their descendants, contributing to a long history of tension and hostility toward the Jewish people.

The enmity between Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac, dates back over 3,500 years, rooted in the older son's jealousy and aggressive nature. This ancient hostility mirrors the current conflict between the Jews and the Palestinians, whose ancestry may trace back to Israel's longtime enemies, including the Ishmaelites. Such deep-seated antagonism, compounded by religious and economic disparities, makes explosive conflict between these groups sadly normal and unsurprising.